Why You Should Focus On Improving Asbestos Defense Attorney
An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense lawyer can protect the financial security of those harmed by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation may cover medical costs, funeral and burial expenses as well as pain and suffering and loss of quality of life.
Our lawyers are local, regional, and national counsel in massive toxic tort litigation. As as such, we are acquainted with the unique issues and complex science associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos fibers are dangerous and can cause severe medical conditions such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in dealing with asbestos lawsuits, which seek financial compensation for victims and their families who have been exposed to this harmful substance. These cases can be complex, and it is critical to have an experienced mesothelioma attorney lawyer on your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to this hazardous substance. In recent years, there have been more lawsuits filed against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases arise out of the recognition that asbestos can cause illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. These companies were aware of asbestos's dangers but did not take the time to warn their employees and customers.
New York City is especially vulnerable to illnesses caused by asbestos attorney because of its old structures and many construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously hazardous area that continues to affect the community around it.
Many workers were exposed asbestos in their work environments. Exposure to asbestos from the outside can cause mesothelioma. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust regularly.
Mesothelioma-related litigation can be expensive for defendants. This is particularly the case if they were incorrectly identified as defendants. According to a study, more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014, and the number could rise further. The asbestos law firms that specialize in asbestos often advertise on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims under the premise that they will receive substantial settlements.
The defendants might be able to reduce some of the costs of these cases by arguing their policies are in a lapse or that they are only responsible only a small percentage of the amount claimed. However, New York law has not provided a definitive rule on how to allocate liability when the alleged exposure occurs partly in and out of the insurance company's policy.
Asbestos-related diseases
Exposure to asbestos can cause many different illnesses. The most severe condition is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma has led to the deaths of many people. Other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer and asbestosis. Pleural plaques and effusion are also asbestos-related.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which accumulate in the lungs, and can cause irritation to the lining of the chest cavity, ribcage, and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). Inhaling these fibers can lead to scarring of the lungs, known as asbestosis. It can also lead to thickened patches of pleura (pleural plaques) or a more extensive fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can decrease lung capacity, as determined by a breathing test. They can also cause discomfort and breathing difficulties however they do not cause mesothelioma or cancer.
Often, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not appear until decades after the initial exposure. It can take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. People at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases include those who handled, washed and removed asbestos-containing products from their workplaces, as well as spouses and children of asbestos-related exposure.
As well as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and ovarian mesothelioma. The most fatal form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, but it's less common than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma, because it develops in the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.
Many companies used asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was hazardous. They exposed thousands of people to asbestos when they didn't eliminate asbestos from their products. These people now have the right to sue for financial compensation. Many asbestos-related companies are insolvent. The victims are now able to claim compensation from trust funds set up by bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
Asbestos-related companies have put profit before the safety of their workers and consumers for decades creating dangerous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now paying for their negligence. People whose lives have been disrupted by mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses are seeking fair and full compensation.
Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have over 25 years of experience and have helped our clients receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys work to hold corporations accountable and seek the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.
A number of states have established special asbestos courts in which claims can be filed and resolving more efficiently. Judges have also established specialized procedures to evaluate and resolve these cases.
New York, a state with its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of them. The caseload in this specialty court has increased steadily, as more and more asbestos victims seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who went bankrupt. In order to ensure that the justice system does not get overwhelmed the New York Supreme Court has ordered the creation of a special judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.
A panel of six Supreme Court Judges will review each case to determine if it should be accepted or rejected. Judges will also consider the merits of each case to determine the amount the plaintiff is entitled to.
At present, the panel is studying more than 3,500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final ruling by the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are typically complex and often include allegations of several defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult cases. They are well-versed in the rules, regulations, and policies of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions where they have handled multidistrict litigation.
The firm also has extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in multi-district, complex litigation. In this capacity lawyers devise strategies, manage local and regional counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordinating judges, and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.
Representation of Plaintiffs
A knowledgeable Tulsa asbestos defense lawyer will determine the best strategy to defend a client against an asbestos-related personal injury claim. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team advises product manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, contractors, and property owners on issues that involve mesothelioma claims, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients in the development of internal programs to determine and deal with potential liability and safety issues.
In addition to its national asbestos practice, Bowles Rice serves as national Coordinating Counsel in multi-state asbestos litigation. In this role Bowles Rice formulates litigation strategies and oversees regional and local counsel to achieve a consistent and cost-effective defense that is in line with the client's goals. It also plays a major role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well in negotiations with plaintiffs' attorneys and in coordinating discovery for its clients.
The attorneys of the firm have extensive trial and appellate experience defending clients from claims brought by injured claimants, such as those claiming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense attorneys are familiar with the complex science associated with these cases, and the particular legal issues that arise when defending businesses before federal and state courts across the United States.
Catherine has represented numerous manufacturers as the lead counsel in asbestos and product liability personal injury lawsuits, and in cases that have been consolidated involving multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience arguing asbestos-related lawsuits before federal and state courts as well as various Supreme Court and appellate bodies.
During her time at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those for respondents to the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports) which contained confidential information about plaintiffs, including medical reports, work history and the list of asbestos-related products that plaintiffs worked with or around. Vogel was required to use a password to access these files and could look over the SEAR forms of any case at her current employer.
In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience as well as its vast trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is recognized nationally for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. The firm has worked closely with plaintiffs’ lawyers to draft and implement settlement agreements. The firm also has extensive experience defending businesses against appeals.